BONEY M founder Frank Farian has died at the age of 82, his family announced.
The German singer and music producer, known for his hits Rasputin and Daddy Cool, died peacefully in his apartment in Miami, Florida.
Farian worked with numerous superstars throughout his decades-long career, including Stevie Wonder and Meat Loaf.
The producer, who also founded legendary 80s R&B band Milli Vanilli, had sold more than 800 million records.
Original Boney M lead singer Liz Mitchell paid a loving tribute to the late musician.
R&B star Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters dies aged 74
She said today from her home in Oxfordshire: "Our work was truly blessed and so enjoyed by people around the world who had the privilege to hear it down the years.
"The testimonies come from the hearts of those who heard it and I am so grateful to the God of music that allowed our coming together, to create and present to the world the music of Boney M.
"We shared and united under a star which rose above and beyond what we ever dared to expect.
"I say well done to the work that we did. Rest in peace Frank."
Farian's health had been seriously weakened for a while as he went through heart surgery and had a pig heart valve inserted in 2022.
In his last interview with German newspaper Bild in November, the musician explained how the operation saved his life.
“My heart valve works wonderfully.
"Mick Jagger also received exactly the same heart valve. I have a good pig in me! And I’m very grateful for that," Farian said.
However, Farian's condition has deteriorated after the procedure, Bild reported.
He lost a lot of weight and eventually had to use a wheelchair and a breathing equipment due to lung issues.
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
He also had difficulty speaking.
Frank Farian's closest friend and ex-partner, Ingrid "Milli" Segieth, 69, paid him a visit in Miami during the New Year.
When they went for Germany a few days ago, he was still doing well despite his condition.
“Frank was physically very weak, but was still full of energy," Segieth told Bild.
"He was still sitting in the recording studio all day, working on new music.”
Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.
